Local activities planned for B.C. Rivers Days

For the fifth year the Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Groups is celebrating B.C. Rivers Day with a day of activities at the Whistler Outdoor Experience Company at Edgewater.

This year the Whistler Fishtival will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Upwards of 150 people are expected to turn out to take part in the events.

Among the list of activities planned is a free canoe rental and scavenger hunt for fish and wildlife habitat in the lower sections of the River of Golden Dreams. Anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., participants can borrow a canoe, paddle around the area and mark habitat areas on their maps. At the end of the day the maps will be used to give out draw prizes.

There is also a barbecue from noon to 1:30 p.m., face painting from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., flying-fishing demos with the Whistler Angling Club from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and displays from local environmental groups all day.

B.C. Rivers Day was created in 1980 by the Outdoor Recreation Council to draw attention to recreational, environmental, economic and aesthetic issues facing provincial waterways. Activities range from stream clean-ups to paddle trip to community festivals.

Across the province, more than 80 events are planned each year, attracting more than 40,000 participants.

Survey results indicate that the pollution of rivers, lakes and coastal waters is the number one environmental concern of British Columbians, as is overfishing of wild stocks.

To participate in the Whistler Fishtival, just show up at the Edgewater Outdoor Centre opposite Alpine Meadow subdivision between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.